Arudra Darshan is an essential day in Tamil Nadu which happens in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December – January). The day is about Lord Shiva, and every devotee visits Shiva temple to pray to the Lord and get his blessings. Devotees celebrate the Nataraja form of Shiva since people celebrate the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva on Arudra Darshan day.
The tithi or date becomes more auspicious when it falls on Monday since this day is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Every devotee wanting to get the blessings of Shiva do worship Shiva and have a glance of him on this tithi.
Here Arudhra means the golden red flame, which represents Shiva as the Lord dances in the form of this red flame. Arudhra is also the birth star; it is also known as Ardra, Arudhara, Arudra, and Arudara, which is all associated with Shiva.
Importance of Arudra Darshan
Arudra Darshan is the day that refers to the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, and people celebrate Shiva’s dance from Nataraja.
The cosmic dance is a representation of the circle of creation and destruction. It is believed that when Shiva performs the dance, it happens in every particle and every existence. Arudra Darshan is a way to celebrate this joyous state of Lord Shiva, which is the source of all the energy of the Universe.
In various temples such as Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, Tiruvalankadu Temple, Nellaiappar temple, Kutralanathar temple, Tiruvarur Temple, Kapaleeswarar Temple, and several other temples, the occasion is celebrated with great fervor. At Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, the festivity also marks the conclusion of Margazhi Brahmotsavam.
When is Arudra Darshan Observed?
The festivity arrives in the month of Margazhi when it is a full moon night and the duration of Arudra Birth Star. For Tamilians, it is one of the most important dates that they celebrate with much devotion in their heart.
Other than India, the celebration is famous in other countries as well, such as Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Australia, and other parts where Tamilians exist. Here the festivity happens in all Shiva temples, which people visit and pay respect to Lord Shiva.
Festivity in Different Temples
Let’s see how the festivity happens in these two different temples: Tiruvannamalai Temple and Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, since these are two significant temples representing the Nataraja form of Lord Shiva.
Lord Nataraja Urchavam at Tiruvannamalai Temple
Arudra Darisanam festival is observed in the temple in Tamil month Margazhi. Here is Lord Shiva is worshipped for his cosmic dance, which he performs in Nataraja form.
The festival is also celebrated in the Arunachaleswarar Temple in the Margazhi month, when the duration of Ardra Nakshatra starts. The temple’s priest organizes special Pujas, which go on an entire day.
Arudra Darisanam Festival at Chidambaram Nataraja Temple
The Chidambaram Nataraja Temple is another famous temple in Chidambaram having the idol of Lord Shiva in Nataraja avatar. It depicts the Ananda Tandava pose in which the Shiva performs the cosmic dance. This year, the celebration will take place on 20th December 2021. The beginning of the celebration also marks the conclusion of Margazhi Brahmotsavam, which is another important festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu.
The festivity takes place as a must in Chidambaram because it is believed that Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance in Nataraja form at Chidambaram. The dance was dedicated to his devotees Adi Shesha and Vyagrapaadar. Adi Shesha is the seven-hooded serpent on which Lord Vishnu rests in the milky ocean; the serpent wanted to witness the cosmic form of Shiva.
Vyagrapaadar was a staunch devotee of Shiva who performed difficult penance to witness the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva. Shiva agreed upon the wishes of his devotees and hence performed the dance at Chidambaram.
The cosmic dance form, which is also known as The Ananda Thandavam of Shiva, symbolizes five things: creation, sustenance, dissolution, concealment, and bestowment of grace.
At the Chidambaram Temple, Shiva is also worshipped as Akasa Lingam, which means “formless,” also known as Chidambara Rahasyam. In Kerala, this day is observed for Shiva and Paravati and to celebrate the duo.
Visit the temple of Lord Shiva this Arudra Darisanam day and get blessed by the almighty. Take the grace of Lord Shiva and purify your cycle of karma to attain salvation.
